Headteacher’s warning after playground brawl at Hartlepool school

Fiona Thompson

A Hartlepool headteacher has written to the parents of all her pupils after a playground brawl broke out at the end of the school day.

Lynnfield Primary School headteacher Marian Fairley says she will not stand for bad behaviour on the premises in the aftermath of the disturbance involving a parent and another adult on Tuesday at around 3.10pm.

I can reassure you that incidents of foul language or swearing or violence of any type in or around the school site will not be tolerated by the school and any form of it will be dealt with appropriately.

Headteacher Marian Fairley

It has led to the pair being banned for good from the Grosvenor Street school.

She says she has complained to police about their “poor response” and will be meeting with education chiefs to discuss concerns.

In the letter, she said: “I am aware of the fact that a number of parents and children observed what can only be described as a brawl yesterday in the playground between a parent and an other adult who does not have children in school.

“I understand that other parents attempted to stop abusive language and violent behaviour between those involved and also suffered abuse and violence themselves.

“The police were originally called at 2pm to deal with the problem, which was brought to our attention at the time.

“Although warned of the prospect of a major incident at the end of the day they did not arrive in school to prevent what happened and the school put in two further 999 calls before police attended and by then, many of you and your children were upset and traumatised by what you had witnessed.

“As I mentioned in my text last night, the parent has been banned permanently from the playground, as has the other adult, and the police will be called if they come to the school again.

“I can reassure you that incidents of foul language or swearing or violence of any type in or around the school site will not be tolerated by the school and any form of it will be dealt with appropriately.

“I made a complaint to Cleveland Police Authority last night regarding the poor policing of the matter and a meeting will be held with Hartlepool director of education and the head of children’s services.

“I will keep you informed as to the outcome as soon as possible.”

In a statement to the Mail, she added: “Our prime concern is always the welfare of our children and this action has been taken with their interests in mind.

“Action such as this is rare, but something we are prepared to do when we deem behaviour to be unacceptable.

“I am very saddened that this has happened and I am keen to make sure that the school environment is kept safe for everyone, particularly our children.

“I have written to all parents to reassure them that incidents of foul language and violence will not be tolerated.”

Cleveland Police has said a call was first made from the school at 2pm, when advice was offered “to those concerned” before two 999 calls were received at the same time when the incident broke out.

When officers arrived, they found no disturbance ongoing.

They spoke to those involved at 8pm, with no action to be taken following the fracas.